1. The ‘Unbox Me campaign’, which was launched recently, is associated with which day?
[A] International Transgender Day of Visibility
[B] Zero Discrimination Day
[C] World Humanitarian Day
[D] International Day for People of African Descent
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [International Transgender Day of Visibility]
Notes:
International Transgender Day of Visibility is observed on March 31. The USAID launched an initiative called ‘Unbox Me campaign’, which advocates for the rights of transgender children.
It aims to raise awareness among parents, teachers and the society about gender identity during childhood. The campaign originated in India, where more than 90 per cent of transgender people leave their homes, or sent out, by the age of 15.
2. As per the data from the Reserve Bank of India, which bank recorded the highest value of frauds in April-December 2021?
[A] State Bank of India
[B] Punjab National Bank
[C] Bank of India
[D] Bank of Maharashtra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Punjab National Bank]
Notes:
According to data from the Reserve Bank of India, a total of 27 scheduled commercial banks and financial institutions have reported 96 cases of fraud, involving a total amount of Rs 34,097 crore during April-December 2021.
While Punjab National Bank recorded the highest value of frauds worth Rs 4,820 crore, Bank of India recorded the highest number of frauds at 13.
3. Which organisation recently flight-tested the Medium Range Surface to Air Missiles (MRSAM)?
[A] BEL
[B] DRDO
[C] ISRO
[D] HAL
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [DRDO]
Notes:
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) has flight-tested two more rounds of Medium Range Surface to Air Missiles off the Odisha coast.
The MRSAMs were test-fired from the Integrated Test Range launch pad-III off the Odisha coast, at Chandipur. Earlier, the Army-version MRSAMs were test-fired from the ITR.
4. ‘Varuna’ is the bilateral naval exercise between India and which country?
[A] France
[B] Japan
[C] Oman
[D] UAE
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [France]
Notes:
India and France recently commenced their 20th edition of the bilateral naval exercise named ‘Varuna’ in the Arabian Sea.
Naval ships, submarines, maritime patrol aircraft, fighter aircraft and helicopters of the two navies are participating in the exercise. The bilateral naval exercises between the two Navies were initiated in the year 1993. The exercise was christened as ‘Varuna’ in 2001.
5. India recently signed an Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) with which country?
[A] Japan
[B] Germany
[C] Australia
[D] France
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Australia]
Notes:
India and Australia signed an Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (IndAus ECTA). It seeks to provide -duty access to 96 per cent of India’s exports to Australia.
The exports include engineering goods, gems and jewellery, textiles, apparel and leather. The pact is expected to boost bilateral trade in goods and services to USD 45-50 billion over five years and generate over one million jobs in India.
6. Which city is the host of Khelo India University Games 2021 (KIUG 2021)?
[A] Chennai
[B] Bengaluru
[C] Hyderabad
[D] Dehradun
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bengaluru]
Notes:
Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Thakur launched the logo, jersey, mascot and anthem of the Khelo India University Games 2021 (KIUG 2021).
The mascot is an elephant named as ‘Veera’. The event to be held in Bengaluru, postponed due to the ongoing Covid crisis last year, will be the second edition of KIUG. It includes Yogasana and Mallakhamb for the first time.
7. Which Union Ministry is associated with the Foreign Trade Policy of India?
[A] Ministry of External Affairs
[B] Ministry of Commerce and Industries
[C] Ministry of MSME
[D] Ministry of Home Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Commerce and Industries]
Notes:
Directorate General of Foreign Trade, under the aegis of the Ministry of Commerce and Industries is responsible for the Foreign Trade Policy (DGFT) of India.
Recently, the DGFT announced that the existing Foreign Trade Policy 2015-20, which is valid upto March 31, 2022 is extended up to September 30, 2022. After the outbreak of Covid-19, the policy was first extended by a year to the end of March 2020.
8. Which Union Ministry of India launched ‘Temple 360’ portal?
[A] Ministry of Tourism
[B] Ministry of Culture
[C] Ministry of Home Affairs
[D] Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Ministry of Culture]
Notes:
The Union Culture ministry launched a new portal named Temple 360, through which devotees can perform online rituals of prominent pilgrimage sites.
Live camera feeds across temples of India will be made available on the website. At present, live streaming of rituals from four temples: Somnath (Gujarat), Kashi Vishwanath (UP), Trimbakeshwar and Ghrishneshwar (both in Maharashtra) can be viewed on the portal.
9. Which Indian has been appointed to the UN ‘High-Level Expert Group on Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities’?
[A] Ramesh Chand
[B] Rajiv Kumar
[C] Arunabha Ghosh
[D] Arvind Panagariya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Arunabha Ghosh]
Notes:
Arunabha Ghosh, been appointed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to the ‘High-Level Expert Group on Net-Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities’.
Arunabha Ghosh is the CEO of the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), a climate and energy think tank. The expert group will be chaired by former Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna.
10. Which institution developed the ‘Positive Pay System (PPS)’ for cheque payment?
[A] National Payments Corporation of India
[B] Reserve Bank of India
[C] NITI Aayog
[D] Ministry of Finance
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [National Payments Corporation of India]
Notes:
Punjab National Bank has recently made the Positive Pay System (PPS) compulsory for cheque payments worth Rs 10 lakh and above.
Under the Positive Pay System (PPS) developed by the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), a customer issuing the high-value cheque has to reconfirm some essential details before clearing. It aims to protect the customers from security threats